sarcasm English · revision 125
5 Oct 2026, 22:00 by bogdan “Add pronunciation, sense history, timeline, meanings, word family, related words” current version
Changes in this edit
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+ ==Pronunciation==
+ * IPA: /ˈsɑːˌkæzəm/ ''(UK)''; /ˈsɑːɹˌkæzəm/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)
+
==Etymology==
− First recorded in the 16th century: 1550 according to Merriam-Webster,^(MW Collegiate) the 1570s according to Etymonline, at first in the Latin form ''sarcasmus''.^(Etymonline) It is [[bor|la-lat|sarcasmus]],^(AHD)^(OED 1989) [[der|grc|σαρκασμός|tr=sarkasmós|t=a sneer]],^(Wiktionary)^(RHWU) [[der|grc|σαρκάζω|tr=sarkázō|t=to tear flesh, gnash the teeth, speak bitterly]],^(OED 1989)^(MW Collegiate) [[der|grc|σάρξ|tr=sárx|t=flesh]].^(AHD)^(OED 1989) Merriam-Webster also allows a borrowing via [[fr|sarcasme]].^(MW Collegiate)
+ It is [[bor|la-lat|sarcasmus]],^(AHD)^(OED 1989) [[der|grc|σαρκασμός|tr=sarkasmós|t=a sneer]],^(Wiktionary)^(RHWU) [[der|grc|σαρκάζω|tr=sarkázō|t=to tear flesh, gnash the teeth, speak bitterly]],^(OED 1989)^(MW Collegiate) [[der|grc|σάρξ|tr=sárx|t=flesh]].^(AHD)^(OED 1989) Merriam-Webster also allows a borrowing via [[fr|sarcasme]].^(MW Collegiate)
+
+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==
+ “A biting taunt or gibe; a satirical remark”.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)
+
+ ==Semantic evolution==
+ The word first named an individual cutting remark, and is now usually used in the general sense of sarcastic language or meaning.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) The Century Dictionary, quoted by Etymonline, distinguishes it from satire: sarcasm is concentrated and cutting, with little reforming purpose.^(Etymonline)
+
+ ==Timeline==
+ * 1550 – Merriam-Webster's date.^(MW Collegiate)
+ * 1570s – recorded in the Latin form ''sarcasmus''.^(Etymonline)
+ * 1579 – the OED's first quotation.^(OED 1989)
+ * 1610s – the modern form ''sarcasm''.^(Etymonline)
+
+ ==Modern meaning==
+ ===Noun===
+ # A sharp, often ironic remark meant to wound or mock.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)
+ # Mocking language of this kind, or the use of it.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)
+
+ ==Word family==
+ * [[sarcastic]]
+
+ ==Related words==
+ * [[irony]]
+ * [[satire]]
+ * [[ridicule]]
==References==